Oakland Spine News

Weekly Health Update: Cost Effective Chiropractic Care

July 30, 2013

Chiropractic: Cost Effectiveness.According to a study that analyzed data from 85,000 Blue Cross / Blue Shield beneficiaries over a 2-year span, low back pain treatment initiated with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) saved 40% on health care costs when compared with care initiated through a Medical Doctor (MD). The study population had open access to MDs and DCs through self-referral, and there were no limits applied to the number of MD/DC visits allowed and no differences in co-pays. Researchers estimated that allowing DC-initiated episodes of care would have led to an annual cost savings of $2.3 million.Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, December 2010

Mental Attitude: The Future You and Smoking.Smokers in their early twenties who viewed a simulation of what they would look like after 20 years of smoking were more likely to have negative views of smoking and were more willing to try to quit.University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, June 2013

Health Alert: Painkillers and Heart Attack!High doses of some of the most common painkillers, including ibuprofen and diclofenac, can increase the risk of heart problems by 30%. Of all the NSAIDs analyzed, “Naproxen” didn’t appear to increase major vascular events or vascular deaths.The Lancet, June 2013

Diet: Artificial Sweeteners?The artificial sweetener sucralose can change the body’s insulin response. When study participants drank sucralose, their blood sugar peaked at a higher level than when they drank only water before consuming glucose. Insulin levels also rose 20% higher. This could be detrimental because when people constantly secrete high levels of insulin, it can lead to type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Care, June 2013

Exercise: Active Commuting?Active commuting (physical exercise, such as bicycling or walking, as a way to travel to and from work) is one way to help adults integrate activity into their daily routine. People who walk or bike to work are likely to influence their co-workers and partners to do the same. 80% of American adults do not meet government guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week.American Journal of Health Behavior, June 2013

Wellness/Prevention: Sunscreen Use.Daily sunscreen use slows skin aging. After a 4 year study, the daily sunscreen group showed 24% less skin aging. The skin-saving effect of sunscreen was observed in all daily-use participants, regardless of age.Annals Of Internal Medicine, June 2013

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